Project Ideas

 

Science

 

Report on a person:

Scientist
Engineer
Inventor

What was he/she really like?
What were things like in his/her day?
What events influenced them the most in formulating their ideas/theories?
What would they be most surprised at today that they thought they understood?

Report on a career:

Research
Applied Research
Related Field
Field Requiring Science Background

Report on a principle

Concept
History of development
Application of concept
Theory behind an application

What was necessary in order to discover the principle?
How has the concept been developed over history?
What kinds of applications use the same basic concept?
Where is one likely to find this concept in action in daily life?

Original research

Topic within subject area
Extrapolation of topic
Uncovered topic

Open-ended topics - no easily known answer
Lab work essential to project
Library/Internet research essential to project

How things work

Everyday objects
Developing technologies
Engineering concepts

Compare objects which operate in similar manner
Trace patterns of development over time

Projects over distance

Simultaneous studies
Readings over time
Collaborations with other schools
Student designed studies

Projects between schools - need to get teachers networked. 

Long term design project

Encompasses multiple units
Focus on basics
Focus on applications
Build physical project

How to improve an activity or device
Design an object or activity
Design a solution to perceived problem

Create an educational resource

Different audiences
Different goals
Put students into teacher role

Could be web-based, text-based, video-based
Explaining to others helps to solidify concept for you

Some Possibilities:

  • PHYSICS
    • Astronomy
    • Physics of Music
    • Physics of Sports
    • Energy sources, supplies, demands
    • Automobile racing
    • Traffic safety studies
    • Accident analysis
    • Flight, aeronautics, aerodynamics
    • Physics of Vision, Hearing
    • Electronics
    • Amusement Park (analysis or design)
    • Projectiles
    • Color
    • Environmental studies
  • CHEMISTRY
    • Acid Rain
    • Chemical Spills, Chemical Pollution
  • BIOLOGY
    • Biodiversity
    • Systems, ecosystems
    • Environmental issues
    •  
  • GEOLOGY
    • Siting of housing developments
    • Earthquakes, volcanism, other natural disasters
    • Weather

    Social Studies

     

    Report on a person:

    Historical Figure
    Current Newsmaker

    What was/is he/she really like?
    What were things like in his/her day?
    What events influenced them the most in formulating their ideas/theories?
    What would they be most surprised at today that they thought they understood?

    Report on a career:

    Public
    Private
    Political

    Report on a principle

    Concept
    Development over time
    Application of Concept

    Original research

    Topic within subject area
    Extrapolation of topic
    Uncovered topic

    Open-ended topics - no easily known answer
    Library/Internet research essential to project
    Original thesis to be developed

    Projects over distance

    Simultaneous studies
    Readings over time
    Collaborations with other schools
    Student designed studies

    Projects between schools - need to get teachers networked. 

    Long term design project

    Encompasses multiple units
    Focus on basics
    Focus on applications

    Study a thread rather than single event
    Design an object or activity
    Design a solution to perceived problem

    Create an educational resource

    Different audiences
    Different goals
    Put students into teacher role

    Could be web-based, text-based, video-based
    Explaining to others helps to solidify concept for you

    Also, it would be useful to have example projects that would fit into different categories available on the first runout. Even if they aren't fully featured.

    Updated 6/13/99